I have a well-structured plan. When unexpected things come up, I modify my plan.

I am a big fan of strategy number 2. Over the years I have learned that structuring your day gives enormous value to the patient, the nurses and myself. With the right plan, you can get more things done and don’t have to put out fires all day long. Here is my plan:

In this post I would like to share with you how you can plan your day proactively and an ideal schedule of your own. I have created an excel template, that you can download for free here.

If you’re hoping this blogpost ends with the resume that doctors absolutely must have the apple watch or they can’t fulfill their obligations: I have to disappoint you.

I didn’t purchase the apple watch, my wife gave it to me as a gift when I finished my residency training. I was really thrilled even though I didn’t have clear expectations regarding the service this gadget would provide for me during the day-to-day work…

Since lack of time is a major concern in every hospital, I’m quite amazed how time is wasted during handovers. Anecdotes and stories not only distract us from the important facts but cause major delays.

I am not against a joke or story from time to time, I like a friendly atmosphere at work. But I prefer a focused, concentrated handover and a little bit of smalltalk afterwards, if time allows it.

Over the years I have come to learn that there are 4 main principles for a focused handover. Here they are:

Or: How To Make Sure You Don’t Start Smoking, Once You Work In A Hospital

On any ward I have worked there are constant interruptions by colleagues, students, nurses, relatives and patients. Almost all of their inquiries are legitimate and necessary but the sum of them will drive you crazy!

No moment during which your brain can rest. There is no chance to finish a thought. Not only introverts (like me) are worn down by this chronic noise and try to escape.

Whenever I want to improve the quality of my work, my first urge is doing more:

Read more journals!

Attend more conference!

Write more case reports!

But rarely does this lead to improvement of my work, because as it turns out: Time is limited. The day only lasts 24 hours. and cramming too much in these 24 hours only leads t overwhelm.

If you really want to improve in your field, you have to the opposite. Doing less is often more. So stop doing the wrong things, so you can focus on the important tasks.

You need a stop-doing-list: So what should be on it?

1. Stop regurgitating information.

Sometimes I have the feeling we are talking 80% of the time about what we are planning to do and why, instead of just doing it.

Does it really make sense to discuss a patient with the colleague from the previous shift, with your boss, another consulting doctor and the radiologist? Remember, nothing gets done by talking.

2. Stop talking:

Easy on the smalltalk: I know, I know, keep the atmosphere nice, having a chat with the patients and the nurses is important. But I only use it as a time-filler, when I have to spend time with the patient. (during procedures etc). But besides that, I focus on the job.

3. Stop over-documenting:

Document only relevant things. The little amount of time left over after talking about our patients and what we are going to do with them is easily consumed by our legal obligation to document.

This was well meant, but as Tucholsky said: well meant is the opposite of well-done. So keep it focused, short and simple.

4. Stop letting others interrupt you:

Easier said than done. Of course you have to answer the phone. But many times I’ll ask: „What’s up, this an emergency? I’m in the middle of something”

At least the caller gets to the point right away. Many times they don’t call me again. Also, keep your door closed. Leaving your door open is like begging to be interrupted.